Services

Achieving best quote for client
From stable of suppliers pick the three most appropriate printers to quote.
Supply most appropriate quote to client inclusive of print management fee.
Guidance to client using my technical expertise on, paper stock, repro requirements, and printing techniques required to achieve complete customer satisfaction.

Receiving digital artwork from client
Run through checklist of - disc supplied Mac or PC, programmes used, hard copy supplied.
Order supplied showing - quantity, stock, delivery date & address, price quoted.
Check specification against quote, inform client immediately of any differences and re-quote if required.

Proceed to Repro & Proofing
Repro – is name given to preparation stage before making printing plates (CTP computer to plate) to produce a computer file, which is capable of producing proofs and printing plates from digital artwork supplied eliminating potential printing problems.
Any potential printing problems are required to be identified and appropriate action taken to eliminate these before the printing and finishing production stages.
Scanning of pictures, screen ruling, dot gain, trapping, text fonts and imposition of pages will all be issues to be considered within this first Repro production stage.
Checking for programmes used, fonts & scans checked for suitable resolutions at sizes used.
Proofing – the main reason for proofing is to achieve customer approval from a paper proof which simulates as closely as possible the final printed result.
DCI will pick the most appropriate proofing method - laser, inkjet, machine proofing to achieve this approval.
Proofs are checked by DCI for – accuracy of colour, text fonts used, picture positions, trimmed size of pages, colours used and advice given if special colours would be an advantage, imposition of pages for subsequent collating and folding is checked using a laser proof dummy.
Proof is then signed off and presented to client for approval.

Production of printing plates
All of the suppliers of print to DCI use CTP (Computer To Plate technology), which use the same computer artwork files approved on the proof, to expose the printing plate, eliminating any discrepancies from the proof approved to the final printed result.
CTP also has the advantages of having cleaner plates and sharper registration on the printing press.

Printing
Press passing if required or print checking before delivery of the following-

• Paper is stock specified.
• Colour assessed against proof approved or pantone colours specified.
• Registration of colours and trapping.
• Grain of paper is correct for subsequent finishing.
• Pages and solid print areas are clean of any marks.
• Continuity of colour, throughout print run.
• Evenness of colour across printed sheet.
• Quality of sealer or coating if used.
• Sharpness of impression from printing press.
• Back up registration and imposition.
• Quantity of print run
• Drying ability of ink and rub/handling properties.

Finishing
Involves some or all of the following and DCI Print Management checks all –

• Lamination – Correct specification - Gloss, Silk or Matt, Imperfections or bubbles, Adherence to printed stock.
• Forme Cutting, Creasing & Gluing – Correct sizing, Visibility of gluing & strength, Positioning of creasing.
• Foil Blocking – Correct colour of foil used, Sharpness of reproduction, Positioning.
• UV Varnish – Registration to area required, Quality and thickness of varnish, Cured properly for drying.
• Folding – To correct specifications, Alignment of pages, Imposition of pages.
• Trimming – Sized correctly, Square to printed page, Cut & trimmed cleanly.

Fulfilment & Mailing
DCI Print Management checks –

• All components are delivered to agreed schedule.
• Component quantity is enough to complete the delivery.
• Outer box/envelope is suitable for goods to be delivered undamaged.
• Database supplied is cleansed to ensure trouble free delivery.
• Spot checks on final packages to ensure quality levels are not compromised.

Packing & Delivery
DCI Print Management checks –

• Packed in secured boxes
• Delivery address is correct
• Boxes are identified for content.
• Delivered on date required.
• Quantity is correct.
• Client notified approximate time when to expect.
• Delivery note signed and copy supplied to client.